New neck on custom built?
For a custom built dreadnaught with bolt-on mortis and tenon, the neck hand shaped from a blank -- can a stock replacement neck be adapted to match the existing neck block? The neck is off the body at this time ready for a new set, and ready for a new fingerboard. A wider neck with lower profile is wanted.
Thanks to all who read this on another topic, and the one reply. Hope this follows protocol to get more advise.
Tags: neck
Views: 733
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Pollock on
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Without any useful information, such as scale length, fretboard length, etc., it's hard for anyone to give advice. It's like asking if there is a tire available for your vehicle, without saying what you have.
That said, I'm sure Luthier's Merchantile www.lmii.com would be glad to make something for you, or make some suggestions.
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Permalink Reply by Ned Knepp on
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Hi Dagdred,
In the case of your neck, I think the advice you got on the other thread was pretty straight forward. CAN it be done? I'm pretty sure it can IF you can find a neck that either fits your needs or has enough extra material to allow you to modify it. In the end, you have the dimensions and you know what you want so it seems to me that only you can really determine the answer to your question. If you make the neck from scratch again, you will be able to make it exactly as you want it to be. If you don't want to do that, I would suggest that you work up very accurate dimensions for the neck of your dreams and take Mark's advice, call LMI.
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Permalink Reply by Dagdred on
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All right, with these replies the situation can get some light which someone needs to offer the best answer.
The guitar was not made by me. I am only a singer-non-songwriter. The maple neck was made from a blank. The fretboard was 25 1/2 inch scale, and approx. 1 11/32 at the nut. 14 frets to the body.
A lower profile and 1 3/4 nut would be good (local repair has said the old neck can be no thinner because of the truss rod). (How do low profile necks manage to have a truss rod? Can the rod be installed flat?)
The top finish needed some work, and the saddle was just a bit low for best tone (after asking the maker for a low action), so now the neck is off, and it has no fretboard.
The real question seems to be: Can a luthier match a new neck to the existing block -- or would a new neck require opening up the guitar and install new block (which sounds like a poor idea -- the build is very very clean and nice, really solid treble with the mahogany top and redwood back/sides).
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Permalink Reply by Frank Ford on
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For most acoustic guitars, new neck is not a simple proposition, so while it most certainly can be done, it could get expensive. How about having the job done by the maker - is that an option?
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He does not reply to a query.
You say it can be done. Yes, but without a new neck block?
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A new neck for the guitar does not answer the question -- must the body be opened and anew block installed?
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It's hard to say, because nobody has seen the neck block of this guitar. You really need to consult someone in person on this.
That said, ANYTHING is possible with enough money. Luckily, with a bolt-on neck, you should be able to get SOMETHING modified to fit. But again, nobody in their right mind will say "Oh sure, no problem!" without examining the thing first hand. That joint could be something very simple, or could be truly insane - there is no way to know without looking at the thing. But the neck block quite possibly does not need to be removed and replaced. Quite possibly. But then again, may be it does.
Really, you need to consult someone face-to-face-to-actual guitar to figure this one out. No respectable repairman will make any positive statement about this without seeing it first hand. It would be grossly unfair to you to say "Sure, no problem, any guy can do this" when it is quite possible that it is a stupendously difficult job, or at least, a stupendously expensive job.
Not to mention the problem of finding someone willing to do it. They will certainly want a fair amount of cash up front, and they should. This is the kind of project that sets off all kinds of red flags for a repairman. It's likely to be difficult and unsatisfactory to all concerned. You have a guitar that you are mostly happy with, and are proposing to dramatically alter it with the assumption that you will then be happier with it. But that could not be the case - you may end up with a new and worse tone, a less playable action, or goodness knows what else.
Believe me, there are people here who would like to help, but it's a rather impossible situation to help with. You really need to find someone in person to evaluate this.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Verticchio on
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Just out of curiosity, did you commission this guitar to be built for you?
If you bought it 'used', why did you buy a guitar that had those undesirable features?
I'm not asking those questions to be a smart-ass, but to better understand customers buying impetus?
Also, you've received some excellent advice from some extremely talented & accomplished builders. In order to save us some time, I have to ask the following:
Do you repair or build acoustic guitars? If yes, what's your experience/skill level. Making a neck is not a 1st time project for a novice or beginner.
and
Do you plan on attempting to do the work yourself?
I ask those questions because if the answer to either question is "no", then you'll best be served by taking it to a reputable luthier in your area. You've gotten the information that it CAN be done, now it's just a matter of getting it done.
Also consider the personal value and market value of the instrument. A new neck/FB/frets/w/installation etc. will likely run you several hundred dollars. Only you can decide if you wish to perform a modification that may cost more than the market value of the instrument.
Best of luck (-:
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Please save my time and read the subtext of my second entry before ascending the heights of expatiation.
Most of your questions seem not to be relevant to the question highlighted below.
A singer who plays guitar is stated, and also that did not make the guitar. Also admiration for the body of the guitar is stated explicitly. You go too far with advise on market value -- please know that my knowledge does include who is the "decider".
Information that it can be done has not been specific. Can the new neck -- whether stock from Lu.Merc. or from a new blank -- Can it be installed properly to the old neck block?
Must the guitar be opened and the old neck block removed ? That would be too expensive. In order to use a beautiful guitar body, the old neck would be re-installed.
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Then I'm sorry for my reply.
I shall not answer any of your questions in the future.
With an attitude like yours, I doubt if many of my colleagues will either.
BTW: That is one BUTT UGLY guitar.
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For a guy getting free info from some of the worlds most adept problem solvers that would cost him $75 an hour in person, he sure is high & mighty.
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